UFCW Local 247 met with representatives from  Sobeys-Safeway on February 28th and March 1st to discuss the impact of the recent announcement of five (5) Safeway store closures on 247 members.

To recap, on January 29, Sobeys advised Local 247 that it would be closing five more Safeway stores in B.C., all located in Metro Vancouver. They then plan to reopen the stores under the FreshCo banner.

The five Safeway stores Sobeys is closing are:

• Aldergrove (#4959)   – closing May 25, 2019
• Chilliwack   (#4938)   – closing May 25, 2019
• Maple Ridge (#4971) – closing May 25, 2019
• Ladner (#4962)          – closing July 13, 2019
• Abbottsford (#4932)  – closing Sept. 7, 2019

Once the announcements were made, the Company began distributing letters to members from both UFCW Locals impacted, 247 and 1518, which caused some confusion as the terms and opportunities offered were different due to the recent award issued by Arbitrator Vince Ready on 1518 and Sobeys. These meetings sought to clarify the direction of the Company regarding the FreshCo banner, and what the positions available and monetary and placement opportunities will be for 247 members. After two good days of meetings the Company has stated they will give us a comprehensive response within the next week. At that time we will update the site and make impacted members aware of any agreement.